Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It wasn't that long ago that the Australian-European free trade negotiations had stalled, and stalled badly. Whether it was gross disrespect being shown to a close ally, texts being leaked or its value to do anything to address climate change, the Morrison government dropped the ball on Australia's relationship with the EU. Labor has picked up the pill. Thankfully, since the Albanese government took office negotiations are back on track. Negotiations have started once again to gain significant momentum. With the current turmoil in Europe associated with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it has reinforced the value of partnerships with like-minded countries. A comprehensive and ambitious free trade agreement with the European Union will strengthen trade and investment links in this time of considerable global uncertainty. This EU FTA is an opportunity to strengthen our ties and tackle the economic and geopolitical challenges and supply chain disruptions that are currently facing Europe.

Australia is a trading nation, so we want to be a part of the solution for Europe, and being a part of their solution will deliver significant benefits to our economy, to our miners, to our farmers, to our businesses that provide services. The European Union is massive. Becoming a key partner will help Australia diversify our trade relationships and create new commercial opportunities for Australian exporters. The EU has a potential 450 million customers for Australian exporters to provide goods and services. This trading bloc has a GDP of $23 trillion. The EU is already our third-largest trading partner, which is good, but the goods and services we exchange were worth $83 billion in 2021. It's also our second-largest source of foreign investment in terms of total stocks, worth around $763 billion in 2021.

Right now, our exporters are at a major disadvantage compared to many of our competitors. Agriculture, one of this nation was key export sectors, currently faces prohibitively high tariffs, making it extremely difficult for our farmers to access markets with our high-quality, trusted produce. The Albanese government wants to help our farmers and producers have an equitable playing field when they are competing for EU markets. Who wouldn't want to see more Queensland beef on the supermarket shelves in Germany or more nuts and pulses being used by restaurants in Paris and Amsterdam? We want a successful partnership with Europe to also open up new and greater opportunities for our services exporters as well as grow investment.

Crucial to this partnership is the Albanese government's commitment to addressing climate change. This will mean exploring new avenues for cooperation on climate and energy through mutual understandings and agreement. We have much to learn about embracing renewal energy technology.

We want trading doors to be opened rather than be slammed in the face of a troglodyte pariah because we had failed to act on climate change. That was the path we were heading towards. Ultimately, Australia's negotiations with the European Union will only be concluded when we have a good deal that is in our national interest, not just an open slather but a good deal in our national interest that respects intellectual property and also our labour markets. This would also include delivering commercially significant new market access for our agriculture products. It would be good for our farmers and good for the bush.

You can be assured that we won't be actively sabotaging relations with countries in the EU, as the previous Morrison government did. The Labor Party knows that we are a trading nation, and we will do all that we can to protect and open up new markets.

See this speech in context